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Oklahoma City Thunder: ESPN crew applauds Kevin Martin, Derek Fisher

REMOTE PATROL — Veteran player Kevin Martin drew the raves from the network analysts in the first half, and then Derek Fisher was applauded in the second half of the Thunder's clinching victory in Game 6 Friday night.

Veteran player Kevin Martin drew the raves from the network analysts in the first half, and then Derek Fisher was applauded in the second half of the Thunder's clinching victory in Game 6 Friday night.

Oklahoma City's Kevin Martin (23) looks to pass the ball as Houston's James Anderson (5) defends during Game 6 in the first round of the NBA playoffs between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, Friday, May 3, 2013. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

“He (Martin) was waiting for Game 6,” said ESPN game analyst Hubie Brown, a former NBA coach. “What a show he is pretty on.”

Later he added, “I know everyone in Oklahoma City is excited. They were waiting for him to step up.”

At halftime, studio analyst Magic Johnson noting Martin's 21 first-half points, said he should have started the game instead of center Kendrick Perkins.

“I was going crazy when Perkins started,” said Johnson. In fact, colleague Jalen Rose said he climbed on the table and screamed at the TV.

“You got to start Kevin Martin,” Johnson said. “Houston is going with a small lineup. You give him a chance to get in rhythm and coach (Scott) Brooks should look to start him in the second half instead of Perkins.”

Johnson noted that K-Mart knew the building well, having played for the Rockets. “That's why you have to give him more minutes. He wasn't going to slump every game. You've got to let him shoot himself out of that slump.”

Bill Simmons noted that the Thunder wasn't working Martin into its offense enough. “You need his 20 to 25 points a game,” he said. “You got to have it.”

In the second half, the 38-year-old Fisher drew numerous accolades. “You just look at this series,” Brown said. “His defense on (Aaron) Brooks in the second quarter turned it around and now he had done an excellent job on Harden.”

After the Thunder had taken a 15-point lead, both ESPN and FSOK had shots of Thunder coach Scott Brooks congratulating Fisher during a Rockets timeout. “The veteran has come in on both ends and stabilized this team,” Tirico said.

Kevin Durant's play also drew praise. His three-pointer in the fourth quarter gave the Thunder a 87-79 lead. “This is a dagger,” Brown said, “following up on the (Rockets) bad shot.”

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by Mel Bracht

Copy Editor, Sports Media

Mel Bracht is a copy editor on the presentation desk and also covers sports media. A 1978 graduate of Indiana University, Bracht has been a print journalist for 34 years. He started his career as sports editor of the Rensselaer (Ind.) Republican...